Hit the Ice at These Area Rinks
Why not make the best of the cold temperatures in the DMV this winter, strap on some skates and go for a spin around the ice? Area ice skating rinks are now open. Missing this year are a synthetic rink on the roof of the Watergate hotel and the rink on the plaza at Tysons Corner Center. Most offer lessons if you don’t know how to skate, and most are also available for birthday, corporate or private parties.
Canal Park
The Canal Park Ice Rink, 200 M St. SE, is open Nov. 20 through Mar. 10 March and offers a winding track set against an alluring cityscape in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood. Lessons are also available. Youth group lessons are available Saturday morning from 9-9:25 a.m. for ages 7-15 and 9:30-9:55 a.m. for ages 3-6. The cost is $95 for five weeks including skate rental. Adult lessons are Sunday mornings and cost $105 for five 50-minute lessons and a 50-minute practice session. Private lessons are also available. While you are there, take a break and grab a slice of pizza from Wiseguy Pizza, or a coffee or gelato from Altani as you warm up inside.
The rink is open from noon-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. It is also open 10 a.m.-11 p.m. on public school holidays. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for children or senior citizens and $5 for skate rental.
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink, Constitution Avenue and Seventh Street NW, is open Nov. 19 through Mar. 10. A long-time favorite destination that attracts thousands of visitors to skate on the National Mall, it is surround by sculptures by renowned contemporary artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Roy Lichentstein, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. Enjoy a bite to eat or a hot drink at The Pavilion Café while you take a break. Lessons are offered from 10-11 a.m. on Saturdays.
The rink is open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for children 12 and younger, senior citizens 50 and older and students with a valid school ID. Stake rental is $4 and locker rental is 50 cents.
Pentagon Row
The Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating Rink, 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington, was doubled in 2013 and is now the largest outdoor rink in Northern Virginia and the second largest in the state. It features a dual-sided stone fireplace to warm yourself by during breaks. It is open late October through mid-March. Lessons are available from 9-9:25 a.m. Saturdays for children ages 7-15 and from 9:30-9:55 for children 3-6. The cost is $95 for five weeks including skate rental. Adult lessons are Sunday mornings and cost $105 for five 50-minute lessons and 50-minute practice sessions. Private lessons are also available.
The rink is open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, noon-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-11 a.m. on Saturday. It is open every day including holidays when the hours are 10 a.m.-11 p.m., except New Year’s Eve, when it will be open from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Admission is $9 for people 13 and older, $8 for children 12 and younger and for senior citizens 55 and older. Skate rental is $5.
Pike & Rose
The newest skating rink is a synthetic one that will be on the roof terrace at the https://canopy3.hilton.com/en/hotels/maryland/canopy-by-hilton-washington-dc-bethesda-north-DCABNPY/offers/100119432.htm Canopy by Hilton Hotel, 940 Rose Ave., North Bethesda, in the Pike & Rose mixed-use development from Feb. 1-28. The hotel has partnered with Mel’s Rink Foundation, a local non-profit that provides mentally and physically challenged children and adults with athletic training, development and play space. While you are there, pop into the Canopy Central Restaurant and Bar, which will have a skating menu featuring nachos with spicy cheese, pico de gallo and avocado sour cream, toasted peanut butter and banana sandwiches, mini hot dogs, specialty hot chocolates (spiked and tame) with artisanal marshmallows, Irish coffee and craft beers from Rockville’s 7 Locks Brewing, Laurel’s Jailbreak Brewing and Damascus’ Waredaca Brewing.
The rink is open from 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday. The price for two hours of skating and skate rental is $17 for adults and $14 for children.
Reston Town Center
From Nov. 9 through Mr. 10, the Reston Town Center Ice Rink transforms the center’s pavilion floor into a gleaming ice skating rink. Lessons, which are $125 per session, are offered from 9:30-10 a.m. and 10:15-10:45 a.m. on Saturdays Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22, Jan. 5, 12, 19 and 26 or Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23.
The rink is open from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. There are extended holiday hours. Adult admission is $10 and children younger than 12, seniors 55 and older and military are $9. Skate rental is $6.
Rockville Town Square
The Rockville Town Square Ice Rink, 13 Gibbs St., Rockville, is the largest outdoor rink in Montgomery County. It is open from mid-October until March. Skating lessons for children ages 7-15 are from 9-9:25 a.m. on Saturdays and children ages 3-6 are from 9:30-9:55 a.m. Saturdays. Both are $100 for five weeks. Adult lessons are Sunday mornings and cost $110 for five classes with a 50 minute practice session afterwards. All lessons include skate rental.
The rink is open from noon-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. It has extended hours on holidays. Admission is $9 for adults 13 and older and $8 for seniors and children 12 and under. Skate rental is $5.
Silver Spring
The Silver Spring Outdoor Ice Rink at Veterans Plaza, 8523 Fenton St., Silver Spring, is surrounded by restaurants, shops and plenty of parking that is free after 8 p.m. weeknights and all day on weekends. It is open from mid-October to early-April. Youth lessons for children ages 7-15 are from 9-9:25 a.m. on Saturdays and from 9:30-9:55 a.m. for children ages 3-6. Youth group sessions are also available Tuesdays from 5:30-5:55 p.m. and Wednesdays from 6-6:25 p.m. Adults lessons are from 9-9:50 a.m. on Sunday. Private lessons are also available.
The rink is open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, noon-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon-midnight Friday and 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday. Hours are 10 a.m.-midnight whenever Montgomery County Schools are closed. Admission is $9 for adults 13 and older and $8 for senior citizens and children 12 and younger. Skate rental is $5.
Washington Harbour
Rejoice in riverfront views at the Washington Harbour Ice Rink, 3050 K. St. NW, which is open from mid-November until March in Georgetown. Skate alongside the Potomac River and enjoy a hot beverage from one of the rink-side restaurants. Specials include Two for Tuesday with two for one admission from 4-6 p.m., College Night Skate each Thursday with $2 off with a college ID, Cartoon Skate from 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays and Rock the Rink from 8-10 pm. Saturdays. Lessons are given from 9-10 a.m. or 9:30-10 a.m. on Saturdays and 5-6 p.m. on Wednesdays.
The rink is open from noon-7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, noon-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, noon-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday with extended holiday hours. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for children, military and senior citizens, and $6 for skate rentals.
The Wharf
Glide over the ice and enjoy amazing views of the water at the Wharf Ice Rink on the new development’s Transit Pier, 960 Wharf St. SW. It opened Nov. 20 and will remain open daily through late-February. The rink, right on the Potomac River’s edge in the city’s Southwest Waterfront, is cash-free and only accepts electronic payments. On Mondays, residents with a 20024 Zip Code get a $2 discount.
The rink is open from noon-6:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, noon-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. There are extended hours on holidays. Admission is $12 for adults, $10for active military and senior citizens 65 and older, and $8 for children 12 and younger. Skate rental is $6.
Editor-in-Chief Mark Heckathorn is a journalist, movie buff and foodie. He oversees DC on Heels editorial operations as well as strategic planning and staff development. Reach him with story ideas or suggestions at dcoheditor (at) gmail (dot) com.